[GLLUG] Broadband signal to noise ratio

[Chris Bell]

Hello,
I have a basic FTTC broadband and have noticed that both up and down 
attenuation figures have remained constant but the signal to noise ratio drops 
significantly when the ground is dry, although it soon recovers when the ground 
is wet. Is this to be expected? The overall speed reaches the specified cap at 
just under 40Mbps, but with many errors logged by the modem, although I do not 
see errors in the final downloads.
I assume this is due to general radiation such as mobile phone transmission.
When the original lead covered cable was replaced many years ago the engineer 
managed to find and re-use the rusty remains of the original iron pipe laying 
on the ground and feed the new plastic coated cable through it, but it was 
already too short to reach the house. I believe the first phone was installed 
when the house was built in 1933, and there was no requirement for the cable 
to be laid in a straight line or buried, so it was routed round the small 
front garden.
The direct route  for a new BT plastic duct from the pavement manhole at the 
correct depth would be under crazy paving for much of the way, although not 
close to any other services. 
Thanks for any information.
-- 
Chris Bell
Website http://chrisbell.org.uk